Let’s talk a bit about Elsa. Yes, that Elsa, the amazing princess from a northern kingdom that saved the day, not once but twice. Why talk about her in relation to winter boots for toddlers and children? Well, simple enough. Parents buy said boots, but children wear them. And when kids aren’t happy, let’s just say Frozen is not a TV show anymore.

To simplify the process of searching for the perfect pair of snow boots we’ve compiled a list of what you should look for when adventuring on the land of children’s footwear. Other than the design and Disney characters that are on the boots, you should take into consideration other practical aspects.

Toddlers and older kids need different types of boots, especially if the toddlers are just making their first steps. What happens then?

 Well, in that case, you should take into account the flexibility of the sole, the material from which the boot is made of and also the design. Parents know that children can be picky when choosing to wear a certain pair of shoes, so let’s make things easier and avoid any undesired crisis.

Now, let’s talk about the criteria when selecting the best kids' winter boots, shall we?

The age of the child

 

As we mentioned before, a toddler who has yet to take its first steps needs more flexible footwear than a 5-year-old. They need flexible yet sturdy soles. Rubber or leather is recommended because of the support given.

How is it to take it off? Do toddlers know how to tie laces? Well, we think not, so better keep that in mind when buying boots. Choose closing relating to your child’s motor skills.

They need to be a perfect fit. Just because the child’s feet are getting bigger by the month that doesn’t mean you should buy boots two numbers too big. The cold is kept outside only if the feet are snuggled in.

Try measuring the sole of the shoe and if it’s about an inch bigger than the toddler's foot, it should be ok. 

Children older than 3 will tend to express their personality and decide for themselves what to wear. Try keeping the array of footwear to 3 possible alternatives. And we reached the subject of baby snow boots. That is a tricky one, mainly because the child is not walking yet, but he or she still needs shoes. We should take into consideration if a 3-month old baby will also be getting some outdoor time?

Well, if you carry your baby in an ergonomic baby carrier you could use wool soft shoes, fleece soft shoes, organic cotton moccasins, or even waterproof soft boots. The wool boots are highly recommended if you walk your baby in a stroller because of the material used, he or she will have nice, warm feet even if they don’t move all that much.

The environment 

When we talk about choosing the best winter boots for children we often compare two types of different kinds of footwear. You see, there are snow boots and winter boots. Some may ask what is the difference between those two. If there are boots, and it is winter, they are winter boots, right? Let us clear that misunderstanding.

 Winter boots are those kinds of shoes that children could wear if going to a friend’s party, to school, even on a trip to the mall. Winter boots will be asked to go on a walk on the amazing winter days, but you will not enter mountains of snow, nor will you be escalating rivers of ice while wearing them. Winter boots are like the haute couture of boots, nice to look at, but not amazing to keep your feet warm during cold and icy winter.

A good winter boot will have good insulation and even a waterproof material but will be shorter inviting the snow to enter at its convenience. So, if you have a little fashionista on your hands and she tends to spend more time on the inside, playing indoors, then winter boots might just be a better choice.

Snow boots, on the other hand, are prone to be exposed in an environment where there is a lot of snow, there is a great deal of humidity, where you really need waterproofed and insulated footwear.

So, considering all that, you should keep in mind that boots, while they all cover your baby’s feet, they are not the same. If you live in an area where the winters are harsh, there are almost 6 months of snow, and fog, and cold, and also rain, then the snow boots are most likely a better choice.

Tip. The environment in which the child will stay most of the day has a great impact (or it should) upon the choice between winter and snow boots and also different kinds of footwear. Take that into consideration when you decide to go on a shopping spree.

A good pair of snow boots will have a rubber bottom so your child’s feet will be dry all day, not to mention you will have no trouble cleaning the boots after a day of play in the snow and goo. The upper part will be taller than usual and made from a natural material, such as leather or nylon.

Although a good pair of snow boots come with benefits, they also are heavier than winter boots and bulkier making running or simply walking difficult for active children. So, we can conclude that if your child or family are outdoors lovers and spend a great deal of time in a humid climate, a snow boot is appropriate rather than a winter boot.

The energy of the child

   

I know how that sounds. You would say every child is an active one, but somehow, there are children, girls as well as boys who prefer static activities. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Except they still have to go outside sometimes, right? So…what is the best footwear for them?

Such children won’t ask for more time outside playing in the snow. They will settle with staying indoors and making a puzzle or drawing. The girls will likely enjoy baking, so you can safely assume the best girls winter boots will be their slippers. While the boys will take turns into building amazing Lego constructions, so the best boys’ winter boots will be…? You guessed it! Anti-Lego slippers.

The opposite of this lot is the dynamic, filled with energy kids. Those who cannot stop for the life of them. The ones that looove Lighting McQueen because he is sooo fast. For them, playing outside, running, climbing walls, or even trees in winter is something they usually do. For them, flexible snow boots will be the wiser choice.

But what are the main characteristics of amazing boots that will be perfect in the little feet as well in the older feet, in the dynamic ones and the stationary ones, through rain and snow and also warm winter sun? What are the attributes we should take into consideration when choosing the perfect pair?

Let’s start with the obvious.

Insulation

If you wanna have a sturdy, well-insulated house you need to start with the foundation. Well, the same goes for kids’ winter boots. Their little feet need to feel comfortable therefore they need to be warm during their play outside.

When choosing kids’ snow boots take into account how many hours they’ll spend outside. Also, focus on the temperature during winter in your area. And last, but not least, will there be movement, will he stay in one place during his outdoor playing or will he be all over the place.

Best insulation comes from wool or specific foam-like insulation and even fleece. Keep in mind that insulation tends to make kids’ snow boots heavier and more clunky. For little young ladies who tend to be little ballerinas at all times, you should really abstain from buying the shoes without approval.

Breathable materials

You want to keep snow, water and dirt outside your kids boots, but you also want to maintain their feet dry and not smelly. (Now we are all thinking about that song Phoebe wrote in Friends: smelly cat). For you to not feel unwanted odors coming from your adorable child’s feet, you’ll need to choose a pair of boots with materials that let the feet breathe.

Putting the joke aside, if your toddler’s feet will get sweaty they will also get cold. Humid environments are prone to bacteria build-up which can lead to horrid smells and also foot diseases.

Try seeking those kid of boots that offer antibacterial properties while being made from breathable yet warm materials. Some of the best even have a special membrane that absorbs any unwanted moisture.

Tip. Besides the quality of the material used in the actual boot, stay away from synthetic material socks.

Waterproof

So we reach the next point. We mentioned insulation as a great way of keeping toes from getting frostbites, also breathable materials, and we also mentioned keeping the snow and water away from the boot. That means a very important characteristic is waterproofing.

While we want to have a nice-to-look-at boot, easy to put on and amazing in keeping the child upright on ice, we also want it to do THE job: and keep the snow outside! For that to happen there needs to be more than one characteristic involved. Waterproofed materials come now in different forms, shapes and colors. You won’t even guess they are waterproofed because they look so amazingly good.

Tip. You can verify the boot by placing it in a bathtub full of water for at least 10 or 15 seconds.

Try not to get water on the inside yourself when dunking it. Keep in mind that water resistant footwear doesn’t mean a waterproofed one. The first usually are just for walking in the rain without jumping in puddles, while the latter can resist a flood. Look for the seams or any other closing that might let the snow get in. If they are not lined with special waterproof material, then the chances are the kids’ feet will get wet eventually.

Easy to put on

Every time we have to get out of the house the children seem to be the last to get ready. This is common knowledge. So, one of the main criteria for toddler winter boots and older children even, is to be easy enough to put on themselves.

If older children will take the leap and put their own shoes, toddlers on the other hand are another story altogether. It’s that time in their life when they want to do something but they lack the capacity. Even then, they should be left to try and make it on their own. But what happens when you are in a hurry, the toddler is already in his winter suit and you are trying and trying to get that adorable little foot inside a boot. Well, you cringe at that thought, right?

So, we suggest that it be an important part of your list of rules for the best, amazing boots. Look for the shoes that have a small lace on top, zippers or Velcro closing.

To glide or not to glide

When in winter…we better glide and slide, but not in a break-a-leg kind of way. You want to make sure that your toddler’s snow boots will not let him take his first step by sliding through the snow.

The sole of your kids snow shoes must be made from non-slipping materials. Usually, it will have a sole that is heavier and thicker than a usual shoe, but that is only to make sure the child can move without gliding.

We know that your little girl will most likely want to have sensible, little shoes, but sometimes even girls’ snow boots have a design that will appeal to your princess and keep them upright.

Consider traction as a defining component of snow boots.

Adaptability

Winter shoes for kids have changed immensely during the last few years. Besides having great properties, as described earlier, they have cute designs that young people will love.

Because not every day you go looking for kids snow shoes, the perfect pair must have all those traits and also be flexible. What does that mean?

No, we are not talking about the sole’s flexibility as much as utility and adaptability.

Because we know children can be picky, they will want shoes that have their favorite character on display, but after a while that favorite could change. Also, he or she might wear it to the school but love it so much that they’ll decide to exhibit the shoes on a trip to the mall, to a playground, or his best friend’s party. And don’t get us started on the girls’ choices. If for the time being blue, red or purple might be a great option, in a couple of weeks pink with glitter will color their clothes and shoes.

If your family loves the outdoors and you take hikes rather often, consider the shoes you buy to be appropriate for those activities also.

Extra traction, great impermeability, good design options, and all the above features are something to keep in mind when seeking boots for kids.

Don’t forget to measure your kids’ feet, both of them, because we know sometimes one foot is smaller than the other. Also, keep an extra half a centimeter in mind when picking the footwear.

Remember to check if he can move his toes inside the boot and if the base is comfortable when walking. The insole can be made of soft, foam material and doesn’t need to be an orthopedic one. If you have questions about the insole for your child, you should always ask your doctor for clarifications.

Now, remember how we talked about Elsa at the beginning of the article? The thing about Elsa is that no matter what, she seemed to solve everything through magic. She would think about her loved ones and search within herself the power to overcome any difficulties. And let’s face it, when we have children, there are many such difficulties.

Parents are sometimes just like Elsa. How so? Well, when you are set to choose snow boots for your kid, you also perform magic. Think of it this way, your child’s feet will stay warm and dry through the winter, he or she will love their new apparel, they will wear it proudly to any playdates and take them to school and on great adventures. Children will be safe from slipping, will learn to coordinate and put on the shoes themselves, and will be able to play outside even when snow will fall all winter long due to your attentive information. And that is no small feat, dear parent.